Larynx (Voice Box) Cancer
Cancer of the head and neck falls under the purview of the Otolaryngologist—Head and Neck Surgeon, commonly referred to as an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist. Cancer of the head and neck can occur in any structure lined with mucous membranes. One such structure is the larynx.
The larynx is the organ in the neck that creates our voice. The larynx is also intimately involved in swallowing. Benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) growths can occur in and around the larynx.
Most larynx cancers develop as the result of chronic tobacco and alcohol use, and are called squamous cell carcinoma.
There are many signs of larynx cancer, including hoarseness, coughing up blood, throat pain, ear pain, difficulty with or painful swallowing, or shortness of breath. A neck mass might even be the first sign of larynx cancer.
Like all cancers, if you have been diagnosed with larynx cancer, it is important to determine the type and severity (stage) of the cancer. The staging will guide your physician as to the most appropriate therapy. The diagnosis of larynx cancer will involve a biopsy (removal of a small piece of the abnormal tissue), which usually requires general anesthesia.
At the same time, we will also closely inspect the remainder of the throat (pharynx), trachea (windpipe), and the esophagus, which is involved with swallowing. A close inspection of the entire throat and upper airway is important since there is a 2-3% chance of having a second tumor in one of these areas. Staging often also involves x-rays, such as CT scans of the neck and chest, an MRI, or a PET scan. On occasion, special swallowing x-rays will also be obtained.
Once the extent stage of the tumor is understood, all treatment options will be discussed, and one will be recommended. In general, there are three forms of therapy for larynx cancer. Surgery is performed by the Otolaryngologist, radiation therapy is administered under the care of a Radiation Oncologists, and chemotherapy is provided by a Medical Oncologist.
Early stage cancers will often only require one of the three forms of therapy, either surgery or radiation therapy. For advanced stage cancers, two or often three forms of cancer therapy will be recommended. The sequence of administration of treatment depends on the specifics of your tumor. For example, sometimes surgery is followed by radiation therapy, or in many cases, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are given at the same time, followed by surgery.
Depending on the extent of your tumor, multiple health care providers may be involved in your care. In addition to the above mentioned specialists, this may include your Primary Care Physician, Gastroenterologist, Speech Pathologist, and others. This is called a “multi-disciplinary” approach to cancer treatment.
If your treatment plan involves surgery, the type of surgery performed by the Otolaryngologist will vary, depending on the particulars of your tumor. The spectrum of surgery extends from a minor biopsy to removal of a portion of or even the entire larynx. In addition, if the tumor has spread into the lymph nodes in your neck, a neck dissection (removal of the neck lymph nodes) might be recommended for one or both sides of your neck.
As your healthcare provider, we take great pride in helping you understand each step along the path of your individual cancer treatment. If you are diagnosed with larynx cancer, we will develop a lifetime relationship of close follow-up and support.